They say you can’t judge a book by its cover. While that might be true for prose, it’s not entirely true for comic books. Comic books are a visual medium and more times than not, it’s the art that draws you in. With so many comic books coming out these days, a cover that stands out from everything else on a wall of new releases can determine how well it sells. I know that I’ve picked up new titles solely based on the cover.
It is with that in mind that we bring you Face Value, a column where we will be looking at the best covers in comics, both new and old, every two weeks. This month, we’re looking at the the best of November 2017.
Atomic Robo: Spectre of Tomorrow #1 by Scott Wegener
I have read very little of “Atomic Robo” but I was really struck by this cover when I was looking at this month’s releases. It seems pure of heart and fun and the detail in the work is amazing. The color work is especially good and I particularly like that little peek of light in the doorway.
Doom Patrol #9 by Nick Derington
God I love “Doom Patrol.” It’s like the perfect comic and every issue has had such good covers. This issue as a whole really focused on Lucius and I really like this perfect close up shot of him. It’s so clean and it doesn’t really lean into being a realistic portrait all the way. Derington is so good at creating dynamic single images to pull in any reader and this is no different.
Royal City #7 by Emi Lenox
Look, I’ve made no secret that I am a fan of homage covers. However, they need to make sense and with this month’s “Royal City” it makes total sense. “Royal City” is a comic book that takes place partially in the 90’s but it doesn’t dwell in nostalgia and that’s what helps make it so good. Emi Lenox takes an iconic album cover and has a little fun with it.
Super Sons #10 by Dustin Nguyen
Look at my good boys. They are just the best heroes. Nguyen has been doing covers on this series for a while now and he’s just so good at nailing these very different personalities. I love how much playfulness exists in this image.
Black Magick #9 by Cliff Chiang
Nicola Scott’s covers for this series are constantly great and her interiors are on a whole different level than everyone else. However, I really like seeing other artists takes on something that’s so out of their wheel house and this series kind of is for Chiang. This cover kind of tells you all you need to know about the series in one image and uses a splash of color that doesn’t take away from the aesthetic of the series.
Reactor #1 by Daniel Warren Johnson
Daniel Warren Johnson is one of the most exciting artists in comic books right now and this cover is a perfect example of why. Everything he does embodies so much movement and action and for a series like “Reactor” that’s absolutely necessary. This is literally a crazy ride that I want to be a part of.
The Wicked + The Divine #33 by Russell Dauterman
I have wanted Russell Dauterman to do something for this series for the longest time and I’m really happy with what we finally got. Instead of getting one character highlighted, we get him doing what he does best and that’s big, grand imagery that captures so much about a series. This cover is bright and vibrant and really fits with what this arc finale eventually gives us.
Lumberjanes #44 by Ayme Sotuyo
Look how cute this cover is! Honestly, look at it. It’s exactly how you do spooky for young readers and I love every inch of it. “Lumberjanes” month in and month out delivers in so many ways and this is probably one of my favorite covers they’ve ever had.
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Sherlock Frankenstein and the Legion of Evil #2 by Dean Ormston
This cover is so unsettling. This was the cover I bought and it’s so good because it’s just so creepy and feels so wrong. Ormston can do no wrong.
Star Wars: Darth Vader #8 by Giuseppe Camuncoli
Darth Vader meditating is like the greatest idea anyone has ever had for a “Darth Vader” cover and I love this so much. Never forget, Vader was trained in the Jedi ways. He is one with the force. Camuncoli just leaves it all on the table for this cover and I would buy a print of this for my wall in a heartbeat.
What were some of your favorite covers this month? Let me know in the comments below!
